NTL GIRLS' SOCCER: TOWANDA LOOKING TO BOUNCE BACK IN 2022 (2022-08-24)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
It’s a new year for the Towanda Black Knight soccer team, and they’re looking to put last year’s 3-win season behind them.

They lose just two seniors - though one is Porschia Bennett, the NTL Defensive Player of the Year - and welcome in a bumper crop of freshmen.

“We have an interesting bunch of girls,” said coach Greg Neyer. “A lot of skill, a lot of talent, a lot of young players coming up, so I’m anxious to see what the girls can do.”

Of course, filling that hole left by Bennett won’t be easy.

“Oh, we have big shoes to fill for this season,” said Maddie Packard. “But I think we all can step up to fill the shoes.”

“It’s going to be a little challenging because she definitely adds a lot of athleticism,” added Bella Hurley. “She really showed me how to strive for the ball, and play hard against a tough offense. But, I think if we just stay tight and have a good front, then we’ll be good.”

And it’s not just on the field, but an off the field presence they need to replace, as well.

“She’s been like my bestie,” remarked Kelsea Allen-Smith. “She’s been really close to me throughout all my seasons, but we’re going to have some new freshmen.”

They plan on trying to keep the defense the backbone of the team, one that had their moments a year ago.

“We’re just going to focus on keeping the ball up field, and just trying to not let as many balls get past us,” said Packard.

Defense may not have been an issue last year, but ball control and scoring were, as they managed just 14 goals all season. Kelsea Allen-Smith and Eliza Fowler both hope to change that.

“My goal is, honestly, just to get more control over the ball, and my actions,” Fowler said. “Playing with my team more, because last year we played a lot of defense, and this year, I think we need to put more pressure eon offense.”

They had just 14 goals a year ago, and that won’t cut it if they’re going to reach their goal of making districts.

“I think we are going to move some girls around, and figure out where we are best with our techniques,” Allen-Smith said. “Hopefully, get some more shots on goal, and I’m get some more shooting in.”

They played in a lot of close games last year, including a 1-0 loss to Athens at home, so Neyer is hoping that experience will carry over to this season. It also helps that they return one of the area’s top freshmen in midfielder Anna Dunn.

“It’ll help the new young players coming up,” he said. “But it will also help us maintain whatever kind of momentum we had last year.”

Towanda really wants to get back to districts this season, but, right now, it’s all about taking it one step at a time.

“I think we’re really hoping to just play good team soccer, pass the ball, communicated nd do all the fundamentals on the field,” Hurley said.

ROSTER

Kelsea Allen-Smith

Athena Chacona

Eliza Fowler

Bella Hurley

Hailey Kapichok

Maddie Packard

Kathryn Dunn

Molly Larcom

Abby Locke

Mya Savercool

Anna Dunn

Kaitlyn Blokzyl

Clara Glantz

Kennedy Heyer

Magnolia Lindquist

Marin Maynard

Cheyenne Morgan

SCHEDULE

Aug. 27 - Towanda at Shamokin, 11 a.m.

Aug. 30 - Towanda at NEB, 4 p.m.

Sep. 1 - Towanda at Wyalusing, 4 p.m.

Sep. 8 - NPM at Towanda, 6 p.m.

Sep. 13 - Williamson at Towanda, 6 p.m.

Sep. 15 - Towanda at Wellsboro, 5:30 p.m.

Sep. 20 - Towanda at Troy, 4 p.m.

Sep. 22 - Athens at Towanda, 6 p.m.

Sep. 24 - Hughesville at Towanda, 11 a.m.

Sep. 26 - Montoursville at Towanda, 6 p.m.

Sep. 27 - Wellsboro at Towanda, 6 p.m.

Sep. 29 - Towanda at NPM, 4 p.m.

Oct. 5 - Wyalusing at Towanda, 4 p.m.

Oct. 8 - Troy at Towanda, 10 a.m.

Oct. 12 - Towanda at Williamson, 4 p.m.

Oct. 15 - Towanda at Warrior Run, 11 a.m.

Oct. 20 - Milton at Towanda, 6 p.m.